adminDave Nicoll
THE trend of players being imported into top tier nations at an early age with a view to becoming nationalised and therefore available for international selection is becoming increasingly common in rugby. After a bit of research it occurred to me that while a lot of people will point to the likes of Samoa and Tonga as examples of countries suffering from a player drain, it’s Zimbabwe’s national rugby side that is one of the hardest hit.
After a bit more digging I have managed to pull together this slightly tenuous XV of players who could, potentially, have played in the Zimbabwean colours.
Probable Zim XV
15 — Thom Evans: Okay, so he might have retired a few years ago but Thom Evans was born in Harare and could have been part of this incredible Zimbabwean XV where he would likely have received more than the 10 caps.
14 — Tonderai Chavhanga: The Zimbabwe-born South African winger played four times for the Springboks scoring 30 points in the process. No doubt had he been playing for Zimbabwe he would have had more international caps and tries to his name.
13 — Max Evans: Including Max Evans here is an incredibly tenuous link but based on his brother Thom having been born in Zimbabwe, I’m sure we can squeeze him and his 39 caps into this Zimbabwean XV.
12 — Nils Mordt: The Saracens and England 7s centre is able to also cover fullback and fly half and would have brought a wealth of top level experience to this Zimbabwean XV having spent the last 10 years playing in the Aviva Premiership.
11 — Takudzwa Ngwenya: Like Chavhanga, US international winger Ngwenya adds bags of pace out wide for this Zimbabwean XV. With 27 caps and 50 points to his name along with 340 points for Top 14 club Biarritz Ngwenya is an extremely potent finisher.
10 — Kyle Godwin: At just 21, the Aussie Under-20s capped fly-half could have been a mainstay in the Zimbabwean national side for the next decade. Born in Zimbabwe, the Force playmaker has plenty of potential to develop into an excellent pivot.
9 — Ian Prior: Godwin’s Force half-back partner Ian Prior can call on the ancestry card to make it into this Zimbabwean XV. Another young player who has had experience at the Reds and Brumbies.
8 — Dave Ewers: The Exeter Chiefs Number 8 has been in excellent form so far this season, so much so that he has recently been called up to the England Saxons squad. He is just 23.
7 — David Pocock: The Australian openside has been hit by injuries recently but when fully fit has been recognised as being one of the standout players in his position worldwide.
6 — Dave Denton: Scotland’s stand-out performer so far in the 2014 Six Nations, Dave Dention was oborn in Zimbabwe and has already claimed 19 caps for the Scots.
5 — Andy Rose: The only player in this side to have ever represented Zimbabwe at senior level, Andy Rose is squeezed into the second row despite usually appearing as an all action flanker. His experience captaining Zimbabwe would be no doubt invaluable in this XV.
4 — Don Armand: The former Stormers man is now playing for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership and is capable of covering both lock and back row positions. Despite not being capped internationally he brings considerable experience into this Zimbabwean XV.
3 — Brian Mujati: Another highly regarded prop, he would strike a formidable partnership with Mtawarira as the pair of them anchored down the scrum. Having already received 12 caps for the Springboks it seems inevitable he would have earned many more had he opted to play for Zimbabwe.
2 — Pieter Dixon: Another player who retired a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t that long ago for him not to still be a viable option (just look at Victor Matfield). Dixon has vast experience of playing in both the Premiership and Super 15.
1 — Tendai Mtawarira: Also known as “The Beast”, he has been one of the mainstays in the Springboks front row over the last six years and looks set to continue for years to come. One of World rugby’s most renowned props, The Beast hails from Zimbabwe. — Intheloose.com.
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